China champions economic integration in East Asia, firmly safeguards navigation, overflight freedom in South China Sea

China proposes to advance the construction of an East Asia Economic Community so as to promote regional integration and common development, said Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at the 20th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-China, Japan and Republic of Korea (10+3) leaders' meeting on Tuesday.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (6th R) and leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries, Japan and Republic of Korea pose for group photos before the 20th China-ASEAN (10+3) leaders' meeting in Manila on November 14, 2017. [Photo: Xinhua]

To establish an East Asia Economic Community is a strategic goal of the 10+3 cooperation and accords with the long-term and fundamental interests of the peoples in this region, said the Chinese premier.

With the rise of anti-globalization sentiments and trade protectionism worldwide, Li said it is time to push for the construction of such a community in East Asia so as to make the region an important engine of global economic recovery.

The Chinese premier stressed that the envisioned East Asia Economic Community should be built under two principles, namely, putting ASEAN in a central position and adhering to the "ASEAN way" which features consensus through consultation, openness and inclusiveness, and accommodating each party's comfort level.

The 10+3 cooperation is the main channel for promoting the East Asia Economic Community, Li noted.

He called for speeding up negotiations of China-Japan-South Korea free trade agreement (FTA) and taking a more active part in promoting negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, so as to achieve the long-term goal of the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP).

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (8th L) and other leaders attending the 12th East Asia Summit pose for a group photo before the meeting in Manila, Philippines, Nov. 14, 2017. [Photo: Xinhua]

On the same day, Li Keqiang also attended the 12th East Asia Summit and promised that China will firmly safeguard the freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea.

He stressed that peace and stability in the South China Sea benefits all countries, and with the joint efforts of China and the ASEAN, the situation in the South China Sea tends to remain stable and show some positive signals.

The relevant countries in the South China Sea issue have returned to the right track of negotiations and consultations, and their relations had been constantly improved, he said.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in the Philippine capital of Manila, Nov. 14, 2017. [Photo: Xinhua]

Later, the Chinese premier met with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and European Council President Donald Tusk on the sidelines of a series of leaders' meetings on East Asian cooperation in Manila.

Li told Turnbull that "on the basis of adhering to free trade, China is willing to work with Australia to further unleash the dividends of free trade agreements, further expand the scope of opening-up in trade and investment, and jointly promote fairer and better trade for the development of economic globalization."

For his part, Turnbull said both Australia and China support free trade and thus the two countries should strengthen free trade cooperation and jointly promote the development of global trade.

Hailing the strong momentum of bilateral ties and huge potential for cooperation, he said Australia stands ready to strengthen cooperation with China in such areas as economy and trade, e-commerce, and law-enforcement for boosting bilateral ties.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met with European Council President Donald Tusk in the Philippine capital of Manila, Nov. 14, 2017. [Photo: Xinhua]

When meeting with Tusk, Li emphasized that China and the European Union (EU) should strive to solve their old problems with greater wisdom.

Noting that both China and the EU have seen their development entering a new and critical phase, Li urged the two sides to maintain the current positive momentum in bilateral relations by substantiating their consensus reached at the China-EU leaders' meeting on the basis of mutual respect and equal treatment.

Lauding the smooth progress made by the EU and China in their cooperation, Tusk said the bloc is willing to carry out the consensus reached by the two sides and optimize its economic and trade ties with China.

He added that the EU will also enhance people-to-people exchanges with China and strengthen cooperation on regional and international affairs.

Li arrived in the Philippines on Sunday to pay an official visit to the country and attend the leaders' meetings on East Asian cooperation.